January, 30 2017 -

Two second half goals meant Valencia CF left the Canary Islands empty handed on Matchday 20, as opponents UD Las Palmas took advantage of a numerical advantage to win 3-1. VCF played the final 39 minutes of the game with ten men, due to the sending off of Munir El-Haddadi for a second bookable offence.

After a back-and-forth start, Santi Mina put the visitors ahead on 21 minutes. A long ball over to the left wing from Enzo Pérez left José Luis Gayà with time on the ball, and he picked out a perfect cross into the box for the striker to finish. It was Mina’s fifth goal of the season, and his third in as many games.

Ahead on the scoresheet, Valencia CF had to defend their lead for the majority of the remainder of the first half. Las Palmas attacked dangerously on several occasions, and almost capitalised on a slip from Ezequiel Garay to equalise –Kevin Prince Boateng unable to complete the attack when through on goal. Enzo Pérez again intervened, this time in defence, to make a flying block on Vicente Gómez as he set up a shot.

The hosts did get an equaliser before half time, however: Former VCF player Jonathan Viera was able to find a metre of space and beat Diego Alves to make it 1-1.

An injury for Pérez meant that coach Voro made a change, bringing on Mario Suárez in his place.

Early on in the second half, Nani tried his luck with a long range effort that went just wide. Valencia CF were searching to get back in front, but their chances took a dramatic turn when Munir’s second yellow card saw him sent off on 51 minutes.

Five minutes after Munir’s expulsion, Las Palmas took the lead for the first time in the game. Lemos hit an unreachable strike from a free kick to make it 2-1 to the home side.

Adding to the difficulty of the task for VCF, Las Palmas scored again 5 minutes later. Eliaquim Mangala’s slip was pounced upon by Boateng, who took the Canary Islanders’ lead to 3-1.

Mangala nearly made amends before the end of the game, having an opportunity that he headed into the hands of goalkeeper Javi Varas. Mina had forced a save from the goalkeeper shortly beforehand.

New loan signing Simone Zaza made his second appearance for the club as a second half substitute, and had the ball in the net –only to have his goal ruled out for offside. An unfortunate second half turnaround sent a determined Valencia CF home without a point, with the final score 3-1 to Las Palmas.

The result brings an end to a run of consecutive wins for Valencia CF, who had bested RCD Espanyol and Villarreal CF in recent matchdays. Next up for the side is a Saturday night encounter with SD Eibar at Mestalla.

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Photographs by Lázaro de la Peña, re-use is not permitted.